Top 10: Best Android Smartphones Buyers Guide - July 2016

As we enter another month of the year, there's now a little more choice to choose from. The OnePlus 3 recently launched, with a stellar price tag and one of the better builds we've seen on a device out of China. On top of that, the Galaxy Note 7 is said to be just around the corner and the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge are about to be available to purchase in the US unlocked, sans contract, with Samsung's blessing. While we wait for the Moto Z to hit shelves, as well as all the other devices set to launch this Fall, this list is beginning to get just a little bit more exciting. To find out where the new OnePlus 3 landed in our Top 10 list, read on.

10. Sony Xperia Z5

While the Sony Xperia X series is starting to hit shelves in the US, and while that also means the Xperia X Performance, there's still only really one phone to get if you want a Sony phone - and are okay with paying the price for it, of course. The Xperia Z5 features a Snapdragon 810, 3GB of RAM and a 5.2-inch 1080p display. Those specs might not seem like much, but with a good-looking display and a fantastic camera, they start to sound a little better. The camera is easily one of the best cameras to have ever been put inside of a smartphone, but it's a shame they neutered the Xperia Z5's fingerprint sensor here in the US. Still, we should be thankful that Sony has made it available here in the first place.

When the V10 was launched, it was a little hard to understand what LG were going for, but after months and months of being on shelves, many customers have understood well enough. The LG V10 is their alternative to the Galaxy Note from Samsung, it has more features, but it also offers something different with that second screen we can see above. With many more camera settings and features, the LG V10 has a lot going for it, included the fingerprint sensor that the G4 didn't have. It's a little on the larger side with a 5.7-inch display and a taller build to house that second screen, and the Snapdragon 808 might feel a little long in the tooth now, but it is an option for those looking for something different.

If you're okay with purchasing a device from one of the less-known brands in the smartphone world then the ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe might be just what you were looking for. With a 5.7-inch Full HD AMOLED display, a Snapdragon 820, 6GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, the ZenFone 3 Deluxe quickly sounds like something from one of the bigger names in the game. All of this can be had for $499 as well, which makes this a device that some will find a better value than anything else out there. Software updates and such might be something to worry about, but ASUS has been in the Android game a hell of a lot longer than most seem to think.

07. Nexus 5X

The Nexus 5X hit a new low recently, selling for just $240 if you look in the right places. For that low, low price tag users get a 5.2-inch Full HD display, with a Snapdragon 808 and 2GB of RAM. Those aren't great specs, but with a great camera - the very same inside of the Nexus 6P - as well as stock Android and an easy way to tinker with the software, things sound better. Unlocked and available to use on any network in the US - even Google's own Project Fi - the Nexus 5X is worth looking into and has a lot more to offer people than you might first think.

HTC is a company that has not exactly had it brilliantly over the past few years, but with a renewed focus in virtual reality, the company is getting there. The HTC 10, while mostly an unexciting device overall, shows that the company can still make solid smartphones. With all the same specs as most other 2016 flagships, the HTC 10 features a Snapdragon 820 and 4GB of RAM. Its 5.2-inch Quad HD display is nothing to write home about, but it looks great and is one of the most consistent out there. With a 13-megapixel camera like most other devices out there, the HTC 10 has a lot on offer and while it won't be the absolute best value for money, it looks good, has a good display and should get the job done for what the majority of users need in a smartphone.

05. Samsung Galaxy Note 5

Regardless of whether or not a new Galaxy Note is fast approaching, the Galaxy Note 5 never really "hit it" with users of the Galaxy Note. With no expandable storage or removable battery, it was always going to rub people up the wrong way. More disappointingly however, the Galaxy Note 5 offers little in the way of differences compared to say, the Galaxy S6 Edge+, carrying the same processor and amount of RAM. Still, with a 5.7-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display, and the fantastic S-Pen, the Galaxy Note 5 still has a little something left in it.

The OnePlus 3 had leaked out a number of times before it was announced and in the end wasn't much of a surprise at all. Even so, with 6GB of RAM, a Snapdragon 820 and a 5.5-inch Full HD AMOLED display, the OnePlus 3 is taking no prisoners. With OxygenOS offering users an experience close to stock, as well as much more freedom to root and unlock the device than most other names out there, the OnePlus 3 is going to be another fan favorite. Especially for its rock bottom price of $399. For a device with more RAM than most others, a great display, a good camera and decent software, the OnePlus 3 is the new value powerhouse. We recently reviewed it here.

03. Google Nexus 6P

The Nexus 6P works wonders for those looking for great hardware and malleable software, with few sacrifices. Fans of minimalism have always loved the Nexus devices, and the Snapdragon 810-packing Nexus 6P gives them even more reasons to rejoice. Its hardware is excellent, the camera is brilliant and it runs stock Android out of the box as well as giving you the choice to run whatever you can put on it. It's a little pricey for a Nexus device, but that shouldn't put people off, especially not those looking for a premium stock Android choice. It's been around for a while now, and has only gotten better, and will get better with Android Nougat launching soon, too. We loved it in our review, and we still do.

02. LG G5

When it first launched, the LG G5 didn't get off to a great start, but since then, there are more modules available and their dreams of a modular smartphone has progressed a little bit. A massive departure from previous LG G-Series devices, the LG G5 is something that a lot of users will find very different to the G4 or G3. With a smaller display, coming in at 5.3-inches, the LG G5 is a little more minimal and professional in the way that it looks and the dual cameras around the back give it some extra tricks up its sleeve as well. For more, take a look at our full review here.

01. Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge

No matter which of these you choose, the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge offer similar experiences, and easily the best that Samsung has ever rolled off its production lines. With some of the best design in a smartphone for years, the Galaxy S7 looks great, and the edge display looks even more futuristic. With a great 12-megapixel camera, quality battery life and all the other great points we discovered in our review, these are certainly worth looking into. Available unlocked from Samsung now, as well as from your local carrier store, these are easy to get hold of and they have a look that is all their own.

For years now I've had a heavy interest in technology, growing up with 8-bit computers and gaming consoles has fed into an addiction to everything that beeps. Android saved me from the boredom of iOS years ago and I love watching the platform grow. As an avid reader and writer nothing pleases me more than to write about the exciting world of Android, Google and mobile technology as a whole.